My yard today was only half-covered in snow, so it looks like things are bearing up quickly. No signs of flowers yet, or summer birds, but I'm sure I heard a robin yesterday. With spring fast approaching, followed by summer soon after, my mind goes to barbecued meats and cool, fresh salads. The wines I tasted this past week would be good accompaniments to this summer fare and ones to keep in mind, as sunshine is just over the horizon.
Bodegas Las Moras Reserve 2007
Tannat (104018)
Argentina
$13.99
Most wine grapes growing in the New World have had their origins in Europe, including the Tannat grape. The French appellation of Madiran near Gascony grows most of this grape, which is customarily blended with others, such as Cabernet Franc. Tannat is growing in popularity in South America, and this 2008 Tannat from Bodegas Las Moras (104018) from the northern province of San Juan in Argentina is a great example.
The thing about wines made from this grape is they are very tannic, so to tame and soften this character this wine has been aged in oak for 16 months before bottling. I would describe this red wine as a dark inky purple in colour with bold aromas of wood, leather and toast with ripe raspberry and blueberries. This is a full-bodied rustic wine with chocolate, toasty oak, vanilla and blackberry flavours with strong tannins and matching acidity. This is a terrific $13.99 bottle of wine, perfect for that big medium rare grilled beefsteak, or moose roast. If the tannins are a little much for you right now, cellar it for another couple of years.
2009 Bree
Riesling (210807)
Germany
$15.00
Traditionally wines of noble grapes such as Riesling and Gewrztraminer are bottled in a flute-shaped container. These are the tall bottles whose neck slopes slowly outward to the body of the bottle. Bucking tradition, the 2009 Bree Riesling (210807) from the Pfalz region of Germany is packaged in a cylinder with a short neck and sharp shoulders. But in the bottle under the screw cap is still a Riesling with a pale straw colour in which, when you lean in for your first whiff, you will find lemon and green apple aromas with a steely mineral quality. Just out of the fridge it was a bit too chilled, so that when I first tasted this wine I found it quite sharp and unbalanced. Once it warmed a little it became more appealing and the fruit flavours began to appear - a steely citrus with a touch of ripe apple. The balance is good in this light-bodied wine that has a touch of sweetness at the same time, making your mouth water. For $15.00 a bottle this is a nice light wine to go with that salad at lunch. It can even be the wine you have before dinner.
Averill Creek 2008 Prevost
Marechal Foch (429084)
Duncan, British Columbia
$15.99
Last year when we started carrying a Pinot Grigio from Averill Creek, a Vancouver Island winery, I was really excited. Now we have a red wine from the same Duncan-based estate. The Averill Creek 2008 Prevost (429084) is a blend comprising of 85 percent Marechal Foch. This varietal, pronounced Mar-esh-shall Fosh, is an uncertain hybrid of red grape varieties, and because European Union law regulates the planting of genetically-modified plants, it has almost become non-existent in its native Europe. The cool climate red grape seems to be made for Vancouver Island, as it is hardy, ripens early, and is fungus resistant.
This ruby-coloured wine has been aged in French oak for almost a year before bottling, helping to meld the aromas of stewed cherry, over-ripe apple, and a bit of spiciness. I found it to be fairly light-bodied with some mouth-watering acidity, nicely fruity with light, soft tannins. This wine won Silver at the All Canadian Wine Championships, making it a great deal at only $15.99. As for pairing this wine to food, I think it would be very nice with anything with a tomato sauce base.
Al Spoklie
